Government swells in size

Friday 11 October 2019

The size of the public sector has swelled in size by more than 100 jobs in the past year – despite a previous pledge that savings would be achieved through “permanent reduction in the size of the States’ workforce”.

The figures came as part of the Labour Market Report released this morning by Statistics Jersey.

It revealed that, at the latest count, there were 7,810 jobs in the public sector – 110 more than in June 2018.

Meanwhile, the number of zero-hours jobs in the Government of Jersey increased by 60. Core staff increased by 30, and non-States workers also increased by 30. 

Pictured: Both the Chief Executive and Chief Minister have spoken about reducing the size of the States' workforce.

The increase comes despite previous pledges from the Chief Executive Charlie Parker and the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, that “headcount management” would form part of their strategy to make savings and avoid a forecast deficit of £30million to £40million. 

That sentiment was also echoed by Chief Operating Officer John Quinn at the launch of the Government Plan, which is underpinned by planned cuts and savings of £100million over the next four years.

The forecast gap in public finances has largely been used as the rationale for driving forward Chief Executive Charlie Parker’s ‘OneGov’ regime – a programme that has involved the largest ever shake-up to government services with the creation and renaming of several departments, and a focus on driving “efficiencies”.

Announcing the forecast black hole in October last year at a Chamber of Commerce lunch event, the Chief Minister explained that the upcoming deficit would therefore involve identifying “savings” and a “permanent reduction in the size of the States’ workforce”. 

The size of that reduction is still yet to be announced more than a year later.

It was due to be revealed alongside the release of the ‘Target Operating Model’ – the blueprint for a new public sector management structure – in the first part of 2019, but the model is still yet to be finalised amid concerns from Ministers and late, but major, adjustments, including proposals to rip apart newly-created ‘super-department’ Growth, Housing and Environment.